Multi-time world champ Troy Coughlin
helps lead Pro Mod class into Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 14) – Not many drag racers have enjoyed a run of success like Troy Coughlin has in the last five years. Racing in the J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, Coughlin has a pair of championships (2012 and 2015) and three runner-up results (2013, 2014 and 2016) in the competitive class, making him an instant title contender whenever he rolls through the gates of an NHRA event. Continue reading Multi-time world champ Troy Coughlin helps lead Pro Mod class into Gatornationals
All posts by ARP Trish
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Jeg Coughlin Jr. hopes strong connection to
Florida yields positive results at Gatornat’ls
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 14) — Although he’s an Ohio boy through and through, six-time world champion drag racer Jeg Coughlin Jr. has spent enough time in the Sunshine State to consider it a second home. With the 48th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals coming up this weekend, he’s hoping that familiarity breeds more success at famed Gainesville Raceway, where he’s already won two times in the past. Continue reading v
Michael Shank Racing Readies Acura’s Sebring Effort
Michael Shank Racing Readies Acura’s Sebring Effort
• Acura NSX GT3s to tackle Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
• Endurance racing classic is tough on cars, drivers, team
• Acura leads GTD North American Endurance Championship after strong Rolex 24 run
SEBRING, Fla. (March 14, 2017) – Following a highly successful endurance sports-car racing debut in January at Daytona International Speedway, Michael Shank Racing returns to Florida with its pair of Acura NSX GT3s for the second endurance racing classic of the 2017 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Continue reading Michael Shank Racing Readies Acura’s Sebring Effort
Monster Energy driver Brittany Force hopes history repeats itself at 2017 Gatornationals
Monster Energy driver Brittany Force hopes
history repeats itself at 2017 Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 14) – Monster Energy Top Fuel driver Brittany Force fought through three seasons chasing her first professional victory, racing to six final rounds and posting four No. 1 qualifiers before finally breaking through.
Then, on March 20, 2016, Force battled past four competitors to secure her first Top Fuel victory, in the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway – site of this weekend’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.
“Gainesville was huge, bringing home our first win,” Force said. “It’s something we’d been after since 2013, so to finally capture that at a race like the Gatornationals is something I’m very proud of. Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force hopes history repeats itself at 2017 Gatornationals
Monster Energy driver Brittany Force hopes history repeats itself at 2017 Gatornationals
Monster Energy driver Brittany Force hopes
history repeats itself at 2017 Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 14) – Monster Energy Top Fuel driver Brittany Force fought through three seasons chasing her first professional victory, racing to six final rounds and posting four No. 1 qualifiers before finally breaking through.
Then, on March 20, 2016, Force battled past four competitors to secure her first Top Fuel victory, in the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway – site of this weekend’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.
“Gainesville was huge, bringing home our first win,” Force said. “It’s something we’d been after since 2013, so to finally capture that at a race like the Gatornationals is something I’m very proud of. Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force hopes history repeats itself at 2017 Gatornationals
Courtney Force, Advance Auto Parts Chevy team carry lots of speed to Gatornationals
Courtney Force, Advance Auto Parts Chevy team
carry lots of speed to Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 14) – Courtney Force and her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS team are looking to carry the speed they achieved in the opening two races of the season to the NHRA Gatornationals this weekend at Gainesville Raceway.
Force has qualified No. 2 and No. 3 in the first two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races of 2017, reaching the final round in the season-opener at Pomona, Calif.
The fast start to the season came after a successful test session in Phoenix where Force made a pass of 3.804 seconds – under the current national elapsed time record for Funny Car.
Now, Force would love to add a victory to her 2017 resume. Continue reading Courtney Force, Advance Auto Parts Chevy team carry lots of speed to Gatornationals
CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Sustained Excellence at a Familiar Place Team searching for 11th class win in historic 12-hour race
CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Sustained Excellence at a Familiar Place
Team searching for 11th class win in historic 12-hour race
Corvette Racing seeking third straight GTLM victory at Sebring
Gavin, Milner, Fässler enter as defending GTLM winners
Garcia, Magnussen, Rockenfeller led Corvette Racing effort at Rolex 24
DETROIT (March 14, 2017) – Corvette Racing returns this weekend to a track where it has made many memories and scored some of its most glorious achievements. In the long and storied history of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida, one would be hard-pressed to find a team that can match the continual success of Corvette Racing. America’s premier sports car team has made winning America’s oldest sports car race almost routine with 10 victories, nine pole positions and six fastest race laps in 18 appearances. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Sustained Excellence at a Familiar Place Team searching for 11th class win in historic 12-hour race
Richard Childress Racing–Phoenix Advance
Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series History at Phoenix Raceway … Team owner Richard Childress has five victories at Phoenix Raceway, ranking him third on the all-time car owner victories list at the Avondale, Ariz. facility. This includes wins with Kevin Harvick in Nov. 2013, Nov. 2012 and March and Nov. 2006. Prior to that, Dale Earnhardt won the Checker 500 on Nov. 4, 1990. In 109 starts at Phoenix, the Welcome, North Carolina based organization boasts 18 top-five and 41 top-10 finishes.
RCR in the MENCS … In 2,745 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 48 pole awards,105 wins, 475 top-five finishes and 1,031 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.1. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Phoenix Advance
Blaney, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team On A Roll Heading Into Phoenix
Blaney, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team On A Roll Heading Into Phoenix
March 14, 2017
Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team head to Phoenix Raceway with the momentum that comes with having fast cars for the first three races of the 2017 season.
And Phoenix was one of Blaney’s better tracks during his rookie season as he posted finishes of eighth and 10th in his two starts there.
Crew chief Jeremy Bullins said the team is showing improvement in its sophomore season as evidenced by one top-five and two top-10 finishes in three races along with 37 laps in which the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Fusion posted the fastest lap of any car. Continue reading Blaney, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team On A Roll Heading Into Phoenix
Allen Johnson Heads to East to Second Home Track for New Beginning
Allen Johnson Heads to East to Second Home Track for New Beginning
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (March 14, 2017) – This week marks the third of 24 events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing tour as Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum Co./J&J Racing team head to Gainesville Raceway for the 48th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Dubbed his “second home track” after buying a home in the sunshine state a few years ago, Johnson is hoping home court advantage will come into play this weekend.
“We always look forward to coming to the east coast,” Johnson said. “We have our second home here and Gainesville Raceway is at sea-level; it’s like a new beginning.”
The stakes are high this weekend for the 2013 and 2014 Gatornationals Pro Stock winner because he will be competing for the event title while making sure he qualifies well enough to maintain his spot in the K&N Horsepower Challenge that will take place at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in two weeks. Currently, Johnson is in the No. 7 spot and if he accumulates enough points over No. 8 Chris McGaha, he will be added to the K&N Horsepower Challenge roster and the eighth spot will be decided by a fan vote.
“We’re going to need to qualify ahead of McGaha,” he added. “We’re shooting to get back into the middle of the pack this race and give ourselves a better starting position for raceday.”
Qualifying at the 48th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals begins on Friday, March 17th with two sessions at 12:45 and 4:15 p.m. (ET) Two more qualifying sessions will be on Saturday, March 18th at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. (ET) Eliminations will be on Sunday, March 19th at 11:00 a.m. (ET) starting with Top Fuel.
“We’ve spent the last two weeks at home working on engine stuff in our shop and going back to ‘home base’ with our Marathon Petroleum Co./J&J Racing Dodge Dart,” he said. “We’re trying some new stuff and we’re looking to do better in Gainesville.”
Two-time drag racing champ Erica Enders looking to add ‘Gator’ skin to her wall
Two-time drag racing champ Erica Enders looking to add ‘Gator’ skin to her wall
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 14) — One of only three women in history to capture a world championship in any of the top forms of motorsports, Erica Enders has amassed 21 national event victories in her illustrious career. However, that impressive number of wins doesn’t include one from the prestigious Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, a fact Enders would like to change at the 48th running of the event this weekend. Continue reading Two-time drag racing champ Erica Enders looking to add ‘Gator’ skin to her wall
Kalitta Racing Gainesville Pre-Race
Pre-Race Report
Event 03: Gatornationals
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Fla.
March 17-19, 2017
Kalitta desires fourth Gator triumph
Gainesville Highlights: Three wins (2014, 2005, 2000); Two no.1 qualifiers (2013, 2003)
Last Event Recap (Phoenix): Qualified fifth; First round defeat (Lost to Shawn Reed in the first round)
2016 Gatornationals Recap: Qualified eighth; First round defeat (Lost to Dave Connolly in the first round) Continue reading Kalitta Racing Gainesville Pre-Race
Scelzi Charges Toward Top 10 During Season Opener Before Losing Brakes
Scelzi Charges Toward Top 10 During Season Opener Before Losing Brakes
Inside Line Promotions – LAS VEGAS (March 13, 2017) – Dominic Scelzi graded his season opener as a B-minus.
“Although we didn’t end up with the results we wanted I was happy with the speed we showed,” he said. “We didn’t get the breaks we needed, but I feel confident about our team and the direction we are heading.”
Scelzi and his Roth Motorsports supported, family owned team kicked off the season last Thursday at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas during the opening night of the FVP Outlaw Showdown. Continue reading Scelzi Charges Toward Top 10 During Season Opener Before Losing Brakes
LOGANO WINS XFINITY RACE IN VEGAS!
LOGANO WINS XFINITY RACE IN VEGAS!
LAS VEGAS, Nev., March 13, 2017 – Team Penske and the No. 12 of Joey Logano won their first NASCAR Xfinity race of the year Saturday night in the Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas. This was the third consecutive win for the No. 12 driven by Logano in the Ford Mustang powered by Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines’ FR9 Carb engine.
“Joey drove a great race.” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Congratulations to Team Penske, Joey and Ford Performance. Our teams worked hard and it all came together during the Xfinity race.” Continue reading LOGANO WINS XFINITY RACE IN VEGAS!
Richard Childress Racing–Las Vegas
Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Team Finish 25th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
“Today just wasn’t our day. We didn’t qualify all that well on Friday and battled from behind from the beginning. That flat right-front tire on lap 132 didn’t make things better. We got behind and had to take the wave-around a few times to get our laps back, but never seemed to get a caution when we needed it most. Then on the last lap we had another tire go down. We’ll try to put this race behind us and move on. I’m sure we learned a few things that we can correct and hopefully finish out this NASCAR goes West tour strong. I appreciate all the support from Lucas Oil this weekend – it was cool to have their logo on the No. 3 car this weekend.”
– Austin Dillon Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Las Vegas
RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 Earns Pair of Top 10s in 2017 Debut
RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 Earns Pair of Top 10s in 2017 Debut
• Peter Kox earns series Hard Charger Award in Saturday’s opener
• Acura NSX GT3 makes its first street-course start in PWC competition.
• Ryan Eversley scores top-10 finish in Sunday’s event
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla (March 12, 2017) – The Acura NSX GT3s of RealTime Racing debuted in solid fashion this weekend, earning a pair of top-10 finishes as the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge season opened at St. Petersburg, Florida with a pair of events.
The weekend was a study in perseverance for both Ryan Eversley and Peter Kox as both drivers battled through misfortune that prevented their weekends from being resounding successes. Continue reading RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 Earns Pair of Top 10s in 2017 Debut
Blaney, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Continue Fast Start To 2017 With Seventh-Place Finish At Las Vegas
Blaney, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Continue Fast Start To 2017 With Seventh-Place Finish At Las Vegas
March 12, 2017
Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team continued their strong start to the 2017 season with a trip to Las Vegas Motor Speedway that saw them fast in practice, qualifying and the race. And they head to Phoenix International Raceway sixth in the points standings after a seventh-place finish in Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas that netted them 43 points, including 13 earned by finishing in the top 10 in the first two stages of Sunday’s race.
Blaney’s finish, along with that of his Ford teammates Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Clint Bowyer, gave Ford four of the top-10 finishers in Sunday’s race.
The finish also gives Blaney two finishes of seventh or better in the three races run so far this season, the other being a runner-up finish in the Daytona 500.
On Sunday, Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team had to overcome several obstacles on the way to his 13th top-10 finish – and his eighth on an intermediate track – since joining the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team.
Early in the race, he ran in the top five after starting third but had to make an unscheduled pit stop. That extra stop also meant that the team had to use one of its allotted eight sets of tires that it had planned for use later in the race. Then, on the final restart, Blaney got bogged down by the slow start of a driver in front of him.
“I thought we are a little bit better than that,” Blaney said in his post-race comments. “We had to come in early in the race and that put us behind.”
Despite the extra stop, Blaney motored his way back into the lead pack and was poised to race for a top-five finish when the green flag flew for the final run to the checkered flag.
“Our car was good enough and once we got back inside the top 10 I felt that we had a shot at fourth or fifth, but that last restart didn’t go our way,” Blaney said. “Good car. Good effort overall. I can’t thank the Wood Brothers enough.”
Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team now head to Phoenix Raceway for the second of three races in NASCAR’s western swing with high hopes of building on their performance in the first three races of this season.
In two starts at Phoenix last year, Blaney had finishes of 10th and eighth.
Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Las Vegas, Post Race
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
KOBALT 400
LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPTS
MARCH 12, 2017
YOUNG GUNS KYLE LARSON AND CHASE ELLIOTT FINISH 2-3 FOR
TEAM CHEVY IN LAS VEGAS
Solid Finishes at Vegas place Duo Second and Third in Standings
LAS VEGAS – (March 12, 2017) – When a last-lap issue changed the outcome of the KOBALT 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENSC) race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS), Team Chevy young guns Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott were in position to capitalize on an exciting finish. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Las Vegas, Post Race
Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Las Vegas Post Race
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
KOBALT 400
LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
MARCH 12, 2017
KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS – Finished 2nd
VERY SOLID SECOND PLACE RUN FOR YOU, YOU ARE JUST KEEPING THIS MOMENTUM GOING IN 2017:
“Yeah, no fist flying for me. That was exciting right there, but no, awesome day for our Target team. Second in the first stage, third in the second stage and then finished second in the race. I can’t say enough about my team. I’m so proud of them. Our race cars are amazing right now. We are going to hopefully, keep building on what we’ve got and keep challenging for wins and they will come. Had a lot of fun today. Had a bad restart there after the second stage and lost a lot of track position, but was able to get a good restart there on that last one. Brad (Keselowski) I think he was blowing up or something and got luck there and got second. Back-to-back second’s we would like to have back-to-back wins, but this is pretty awesome.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Las Vegas Post Race
Bourdais Goes Last to First to Win for Honda at St. Petersburg
Bourdais Goes Last to First to Win for Honda at St. Petersburg
• Rebounds from qualifying crash to win 2017 Indy car season opener
• Dixon charges to third, last-lap pass nets fourth for Hunter-Reay
• Honda drivers claim four of the top five, seven of top-10 finishing positions
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 12, 2017) – Sebastien Bourdais and his Dale Coyne Racing team used a fast Honda and perfect race strategy to come from 21st and last on the starting grid to win Sunday’s Verizon IndyCar Series season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
A crash in qualifying on Saturday left Bourdais starting shotgun on the field at the green flag for the 110-lap event, but a series of passes and early caution flags saw him move to 12th after just 10 laps. Another caution on Lap 25 – in the midst of scheduled first-round pit stops – presented him with a huge opportunity, and Bourdais was quick to take advantage, restarting in second and then passing for the lead on Lap 37.
From there, Bourdais was in control, leading 69 of 110 laps enroute to his 36th career IndyCar victory, moving him to sole possession of 6th on the all-time win’s list. Continue reading Bourdais Goes Last to First to Win for Honda at St. Petersburg